Click, click, click, click.
When Ryuen was about to pick up his phone to take a picture of Horikita Suzune, he found that his body… well, a large amount of flash appeared.
In other words, someone was taking pictures of him all over.
"…" Ryuen.
This made Ryuen's hand, which was holding the phone, stop in mid-air.
"You guy…"
"What do you mean?!"
Ryuen simply stopped taking pictures and looked at the dead-eyed boy sitting in the same row as Horikita Suzune.
Hikigaya Hachiman of Grade 1 Class C.
He was often seen with the cute girl in his Class, Horikita Suzune.
And in Class, he seemed to have made a pact with the students during the behavioral standards exam, enforcing self-discipline, which is why they didn't lose many points in the end.
This kind of behavior seemed to be a conventional attempt to break free from Class D's restrictions.
But looking at him now, this guy might not be so conventional.
Because who would directly take fifty-six pictures of him, and they were all of a boy? Why take pictures of him?
"My father told me," Hachiman said. "If you want to shoot, then you have to be prepared to be shot yourself."
"That's a line from Lelouch, a villain," Ryuen said. "Hmph!"
"Quite interesting!"
He knew that Hikigaya's words and actions meant that he should be prepared to be photographed if he wanted to take pictures.
In other words, was he resisting him?
In fact, Ryuen was also observing Hikigaya Hachiman.
That's why he sent declarations of war to Hikigaya, Horikita, and Kushida last month.
As for Horikita, according to Ishizaki Daichi and his Class, she was a very patient person.
She deliberately waited for him to take the bait and apply to the Student Council for a trial, then counterattacked.
She was a cunning individual.
And as for Hikigaya, he often appeared with Horikita.
However, Hikigaya probably didn't realize the true nature of the school at first, otherwise why would he have damaged the camera?
And then had 50 Class evaluation points deducted.
So, did he only then realize how foolish his actions were?
But for Hikigaya's Class, it might have been a blessing in disguise, because they learned the content of the behavioral standards exam and could respond in time.
Like Ryuen Class, under his tyrannical control, they enforced self-discipline, so they basically didn't lose any points.
And Hikigaya's Class used coercion and enticement on his classmates, which also caught Ryuen's attention.
And Shiina also said today that she saw Hikigaya reading books related to camping.
In other words, Hikigaya and his Class want to perform well in this exam.
And Ryuen would not let them have their way with such matters.
The seniors' mouths were not very tight, so some content would definitely be spread to other Classes, and this exam also involved a boat trip and an island exam.
So other students could also get information and prepare.
However, Ryuen didn't like simply studying camping knowledge. Rather, he didn't think this school would be so conventional; there must be some loopholes to exploit.
So, the information he currently had was also available to other Classes.
But that's not all.
He could also arrange students.
Therefore, "I won't take pictures out of respect for you," Ryuen said. "And today is very simple. You probably already know that this month's boat trip is a special exam."
"Previously," Ryuen said, "I admit I lost to you. But this time, I will not lose."
"And the Class C position you've occupied, I will take it back!"
In other words, Ryuen was here to declare war again, and it had gone from a covert declaration to an overt one.
He even revealed the secret that the teachers kept quiet about, that holidays and trips were definitely exams.
But then, "Ryuen!" Just then, a blue-haired girl walked out from the side of the deck.
This girl's appearance could be considered above average; her eyes were very spirited, yet they seemed filled with anger.
She was a resilient person.
But she was angry, and the object of her anger was Ryuen Sho.
Meanwhile, Hachiman looked at Horikita.
"..." Horikita.
Although Horikita was sick, she probably caught Hachiman's gaze and sent a text message.
It was information about this blue-haired girl.
Ibuki Zero, Class D of Grade 1.
Ryuen's classmate.
However.
Ibuki was now looking at Ryuen with hostility. Was it an internal conflict about to erupt?
"What... Ibuki, huh..." Ryuen Sho seemed a little surprised, and even intrigued, "Have you fallen in love with me?"
His tone was very flippant.
As he spoke, he reached out to embrace Ibuki.
"Are you kidding me?!" But Ibuki not only dodged but also slapped Ryuen's hand away, "I can't stand your methods anymore!"
"Is that so..." Ryuen didn't seem angry. "Then come to my room later, just the two of us."
"Are you kidding me?!" But Ibuki seemed very agitated, directly attacking Ryuen.
Ibuki's steps were steady, and her movements were quick. She must have practiced skills like karate.
But Ryuen didn't dodge this punch, and Albert Yamada, the tall, mixed-race student who had been standing next to Ryuen, caught Ibuki's fist with one hand.
"Albert!" Ibuki looked surprised, "Why are you helping Ryuen... You've been tamed, haven't you!"
From a bystander's perspective, Ibuki and Albert should have a good relationship, otherwise she wouldn't ask that.
Of course, it could also just be a provocation, but Albert remained silent, wearing his sunglasses.
"My enjoyment has been disturbed. See you next time. To prevent me from reclaiming my position, you can struggle, or rather, it's useless!"
Ryuen issued a challenge, then seemed to be preparing to leave.
"Ryuen, you're not getting away!"
But Ibuki wouldn't give up and tried to chase him.
"Whack!" But Albert, who was next to Ryuen, grabbed her arm with one hand and restrained her.
At this moment, Ibuki was like a chick with no strength to struggle.
"..."
Although she was feeling unwell, Horikita couldn't stand it anymore. She got up from her chair, intending to help Ibuki.
Ryuen looked frivolous, and Albert was tall, making it seem like he was bullying Ibuki.
"Whack!" Perhaps sensing that Horikita was getting up from her chair to help, Albert directly threw Ibuki away like a piece of cargo. Ibuki's body slammed heavily against the railing, then fell.
"Let's go."
Ryuen turned to look at Ibuki, then called Albert.
"Yes, Boss!" Albert quickly followed.
Hachiman, who had been acting as an observer, walked over to Ibuki. "Are you okay?"
He extended his hand to her.
"Whack!" However, Ibuki slapped it away. "It's none of your business!"
Then she somewhat awkwardly stood up by herself, leaving Horikita, who had intended to help, standing still. Ibuki, without a word, limped into the ship's cabin.
It was unclear whether she was returning to her cabin or going to find a doctor in the cabin for treatment.
He never expected to witness a scene of internal strife within Class D.
"Ryuen just made a declaration, but his Class isn't stable either," Horikita Suzune said with a sigh, pulling her gaze away from Ibuki.
Hachiman didn't speak.
He was thinking.
"What's wrong?" Horikita noticed his state. "Is it—"
"It's not that," Hachiman said. "I was thinking, wasn't Ryuen Class conquered by him from the start?"
"Why are they only starting to have conflicts now?"
"Eh?" Horikita Suzune was taken aback.
"Remember the behavior guidelines exam? Because I destroyed the surveillance, the evaluation scores of each Class were exposed."
"But."
"The second update was Sudo's incident."
"And Ryuen Class's score had no deductions at all before being handled by the Student Council."
"What do you think that means?" Hachiman said.
What does it mean?
Class A of Grade 1 were the first to know about the school's behavior assessment, and they were quite self-disciplined.
However, they still incurred a few point losses every day.
But.
Ryuen's Class... it seems that after their Class evaluation scores were exposed, they stopped losing points.
If Ryuen hadn't wanted to frame Hachiman's Class, then their Class might have been able to maintain their score until the end.
So.
Ryuen Class's situation is probably more than just simple self-discipline.
"In other words, Ryuen controlled his Class from the beginning."
"So he subdued everyone. Doesn't it seem strange that someone is still resisting Ryuen now?" Hachiman said.
Uh.
That point... seems undeniable.
After all, in the previous behavior guidelines assessment, even when Hikigaya Hachiman enforced strict rules and made the entire Class endure the most unpalatable wild vegetable meal, the students in the Class still lost points.
So the self-discipline that Ryuen Class could achieve, no, the control was terrifying.
It could only be that Ryuen used absolute force to compel all students to obey, and if they resisted, the punishment was incredibly severe.
Therefore.
Under such circumstances, Ryuen Class could maintain a period without losing points.
And then.
Ibuki is also a student in Ryuen Class. Since the Class was self-disciplined before, it means she was also restricted by Ryuen.
So now...
How could she possibly be fighting with Ryuen?
"In other words," Horikita Suzune finally reacted. "So they're acting?"
"That's possible," Hachiman said. "If you think about it that way, then Ryuen wants to plant a seed of discord between Ibuki and him."
"He'll probably use it later."
"..." Horikita. "It's just a special exam, but it requires planning for these aspects?"
"And this is like... like a spy."
This is where you still need to learn, Horikita. Interpersonal relationships are very complex.
Moreover, the school allowing the existence of point cards also tacitly approves of these behaviors.
But the current Horikita.
Hmm.
Indeed, it was normal for Ryuen to want to take a picture just now, as her slightly flushed cheeks were quite cute.
"Then you should confess too," Hachiman said.
"Co-confess what...?" Horikita Suzune's tone seemed to weaken a bit.
"You," Hachiman said. "Your cheeks are very red."
"..." Horikita. "I probably took a nap before coming out."
But Hachiman shook his head.
"If you're feeling unwell, don't force yourself. You might think you can do it, but you could also mess up at a crucial moment."
"Besides."
Hachiman said, "The exam isn't starting immediately, so take advantage of this time to rest properly."
"..." Suzune.
She seemed to ponder for a moment, then chose to give up.
"Sorry, I rarely caught colds or fevers before, but today, after staying in the ship's cabin for an afternoon, I started feeling a bit unwell."
"It might be from too much air conditioning," Horikita Suzune said.
Hmm.
Changes in environment do make it easy to get sick.
However.
"You're working too hard," Hachiman said.
Horikita Suzune's daily schedule is very packed. She studies 10 hours a day.
It's like a demon.
Over the long term, even the strongest body can accumulate fatigue.
Then become weak.
Therefore, considering Horikita's health, Hachiman didn't make her stay longer.
However.
The fact that Ryuen actually arranged for Ibuki to act in front of them made Hachiman curious.
In other words, Ryuen is actually good at and accepts using interpersonal relationships.
So.
If the opponent is good at this, they can also be confused by it.
Because.
Hachiman had already prepared a spy who could be sent to other Classes.
So.
Mr. Ryuen, the day of returning the favor is not far off.
And as he thought this.
"Beep beep!"
Hachiman looked at his phone.
Uh.
It was a message from a boy.
A message from Hirata.
Inviting Hachiman to dinner was probably to throw Yamauchi and Kouenji at him and then feel some guilt.
It's just.
Except for Hirata.
"Hikigaya…"
"How about we have dinner together tonight?"
"Ike has a question for you!"
In the Class group chat, Hachiman was @-ed.
This was Yamauchi.
Yamauchi didn't have Hachiman's contact information, but everyone in the Class was in the Class group chat.
So they @-ed Hachiman in the group.
And Ike replied very quickly.
"Hey, Haruki, don't just blurt it out!"
It seemed to be an embarrassing topic.
After a slight consideration.
Hachiman decided to accept the invitation.
These boys could make a "Big Boob Ranking" when they entered the school, and this Uninhabited Island Exam was an opportunity to push forward, so Hachiman didn't want to be here thinking about how to push for Class A.
And then the other students were various hindrances. So if there was danger, he would immediately nip it in the bud.
…
And so.
Hachiman invited Hirata, this guardian, to the restaurant on the ship.
All expenses on the ship were free, and there were many dining options.
There was a Western-style buffet.
Hachiman chose the buffet.
And when he and Hirata arrived, Yamauchi and Ike Kanji were already waving at them.
"Hikigaya!"
And Yamauchi was as noisy as ever.
"You're experienced!"
"So… have you lost your virginity?" Yamauchi asked.
Oh.
That.
So he's a virgin, why are you asking him that?
It's just.
"Actually, Ike…" Yamauchi continued, "He wants to confess to Kushida!"
"So, he wants to ask you, what kind of confession would Kushida like?"
Is that so.
This.
It really needs to be handled.
Because.
Hachiman felt that Kushida's emotional value would probably increase soon and then explode again.
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